This unit implements a remote-control console (20) supporting a tablet (18). The console comprises a TX/RX module (48) interfaced with a TX/RX module (50) of the tablet to form a first Wi-Fi local network, which is a short-range standard network. The console comprises another specific TX/RX module (54), interfaced with an TX/RX module (58) of the drone (10) to form a second Wi-Fi local network, which is an optimized long-range network, both being networks operating on non-shared channels. A bidirectional routing module (78) ensures the interfacing between the two Wi-Fi networks, to allow the transparent exchange of data between the drone (10) and the tablet (18), as well as with levers and buttons of the console (64, 66) or with a peripheral (80) connected thereto.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A unit for the bidirectional transmission of data between a remote-control equipment ( 16 ) and a remote drone ( 10 ), said data comprising piloting commands, flight parameters and a video flow, this unit including: a drone ( 10 ) comprising: piloting circuits; an on-board video camera ( 14 ); and a long-range wireless transceiver module ( 58 ), coupled to the piloting circuits and to the on-board video camera; a portable device of the tablet type ( 18 ) comprising: a visual display screen ( 22 ); a software module ( 70 ′) including a drone piloting and image visualization applicative module ( 76 ′); and a short-range wireless transceiver module ( 50 ); and a remote-control console ( 20 ), comprising: a support ( 24 ) receiving the tablet; a short-range wireless transceiver module ( 48 ), interfaced with the short-range wireless transceiver module ( 50 ) of the tablet; a long-range wireless transceiver module ( 54 ), interfaced with the long-range wireless transceiver module ( 58 ) of the drone; and levers and buttons ( 28 , 30 ) adapted to generate flight commands as a function of actions exerted on these levers and buttons, this unit being characterized in that: the console ( 20 ) comprises a software module ( 70 ) including a bidirectional routing module ( 62 ; 78 ) for the exchange said data, this routing module being coupled to the short-range ( 48 ) and long-range ( 54 ) wireless transceiver modules as well as to the levers and buttons ( 28 , 30 ); the short-range wireless transceiver module ( 48 ) of the console ( 20 ) is interfaced with the short-range wireless transceiver module ( 50 ) of the tablet to form a short-range tablet local network (LAN 1 ); the long-range wireless transceiver module ( 54 ) of the console ( 20 ) is interfaced with the long-range wireless transceiver module ( 58 ) of the drone to form a long-range drone local network (LAN 2 ); the short-range tablet local network (LAN 1 ) and the long-range drone local network (LAN 2 ) are distinct wireless networks and operate on non-shared channels; the short-range tablet local network (LAN 1 ) is a network operating according to a non-modified standard protocol, whereas the long-range drone local network (LAN 2 ) is a network operating according to a non-standard dedicated protocol, wherein the non-standard dedicated protocol of the long-range drone local network (LAN 2 ) is a protocol providing a waiting time for the frame receipt acknowledgment that is longer than the value specified by the standard protocol and further wherein the short-range tablet local network (LAN 1 ) and the long-range drone local network (LAN 2 ) are both networks according to IEEE 802.11; and said data are exchanged: between the drone ( 10 ) and the tablet ( 18 ) through the tablet local network (LAN 1 ) interfaced with the drone local network (LAN 2 ) via the routing module ( 62 ; 78 ); and between the levers and buttons ( 28 , 30 ) and the drone ( 10 ) through the drone local network (LAN 2 ) via the routing module ( 62 ; 78 ).
The invention is a drone remote control system allowing bidirectional data transmission (piloting commands, flight parameters, video) between the remote controller and the drone. The drone has piloting circuits, a camera, and a long-range wireless transceiver. The tablet displays video, includes piloting software, and has a short-range wireless transceiver. The console holds the tablet, has short-range and long-range wireless transceivers, levers/buttons to generate flight commands, and a routing module. The console creates two distinct Wi-Fi networks: a short-range network between the console and tablet (using standard Wi-Fi), and a long-range network between the console and drone (using a custom Wi-Fi protocol with a longer acknowledgment timeout). Data flows between the drone and tablet, and between the levers/buttons and the drone, via the routing module on the console. The networks operate on non-shared channels, and both networks use the IEEE 802.11 standard.
2. The unit of claim 1 , wherein the console software module ( 70 ) comprises a series of software layers including: a first operating system core ( 72 ); a first operating system over-layer ( 74 ); and a first applicative layer ( 76 ), containing said routing module ( 78 ), and wherein the tablet software module ( 70 ′) also comprises a series of software layers including: a second operating system core ( 72 ′); a second operating system over-layer ( 74 ′); and a second applicative layer ( 76 ′), similar to said first applicative layer ( 76 ) of the console software module, but containing no active routing module.
The drone remote control system from the previous description further implements software layers within both the console and the tablet. The console software module consists of an operating system core, an operating system over-layer, and an application layer containing the routing module that manages bidirectional data flow. The tablet software module mirrors this layered architecture with an operating system core, an operating system over-layer, and a similar application layer that does not contain an active routing module. Instead, the tablet's application layer is responsible for piloting and image visualization, interacting with the routing module within the console.
3. The unit of claim 2 , wherein the second applicative layer ( 76 ′) of the tablet software module ( 70 ′) also contains a second routing module ( 78 ′), similar to said first routing module ( 78 ) of the console software module, but this routing module being deactivated.
Building on the previous drone remote control system with the software layers, the tablet's application layer also contains a routing module similar to the console's routing module. However, this routing module on the tablet is deactivated. It exists in the software but does not actively participate in routing data between the short-range and long-range networks or controlling drone functions. The primary data routing and control functions are handled by the active routing module within the console.
4. The unit of claim 1 , wherein: the long-range wireless transceiver module ( 58 ) of the drone is configured as an access point AP and the long-range wireless transceiver module ( 54 ) of the console is configured as a mobile station STA, and the short-range wireless transceiver module ( 48 ) of the console is configured as an access point AP and the short-range wireless transceiver module ( 50 ) of the tablet is configured as a mobile station STA.
In the drone remote control system, the long-range wireless transceiver on the drone acts as a Wi-Fi access point (AP), while the long-range wireless transceiver on the console acts as a Wi-Fi mobile station (STA). Conversely, the short-range wireless transceiver on the console acts as a Wi-Fi access point (AP), and the short-range wireless transceiver on the tablet acts as a Wi-Fi mobile station (STA). This configuration establishes two independent Wi-Fi networks: one between the console and drone, and another between the console and tablet.
5. The unit of claim 1 , wherein the console further comprises: a short-range omnidirectional antenna system coupled to the short-range wireless transceiver module; and a long-range directional antenna system coupled to the long-range wireless transceiver module.
The console in the drone remote control system also includes specific antenna systems. It features a short-range omnidirectional antenna connected to the short-range wireless transceiver for communication with the tablet. Additionally, it includes a long-range directional antenna connected to the long-range wireless transceiver for establishing a robust link with the drone at a greater distance. The directional antenna helps to focus the radio signal towards the drone, improving range and reliability.
6. The unit of claim 1 , wherein: the console further comprises indicators ( 32 ) for displaying drone state information, such state information being transmitted from the drone ( 10 ) to the routing module ( 62 ) of the console through the drone local network (LAN 2 ); and the routing module ( 62 ) is adapted to transmit the state information: to the indicators ( 32 ) of the console, for a visualization by means of these indicators, and to the tablet ( 18 ) through the tablet local network (LAN 1 ), for a visualization on the tablet screen ( 22 ).
Further extending the drone remote control system, the console displays drone state information using indicators. The drone transmits status data (e.g., battery level, GPS signal strength) to the console's routing module through the long-range drone network. The routing module then sends this information both to the physical indicators on the console for immediate viewing and to the tablet via the short-range tablet network, allowing the state information to be visualized on the tablet's screen. This provides multiple channels for displaying important drone status.
7. The unit of claim 1 , wherein the console further comprises means ( 64 , 66 ) for coupling the routing module to an auxiliary visualization and/or of data input/output equipment ( 80 ).
In addition to the core components, the console of the drone remote control system provides interfaces for connecting auxiliary equipment. These interfaces (means 64,66) allow coupling the routing module to external visualization or data input/output devices. This enables operators to integrate external monitors, data logging systems, or specialized control interfaces into the drone control setup, expanding the functionality of the base system.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 6, 2015
July 18, 2017
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